Take ya a copy of the US Army Survival Manual with you... gives you good reading, and ITSHTF you might be able to find your way out of 'issues'. Also remember to take a good FAK and signalling materials (firestarters, signal mirror, etc).o
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Take ya a copy of the US Army Survival Manual with you... gives you good reading, and ITSHTF you might be able to find your way out of 'issues'. Also remember to take a good FAK and signalling materials (firestarters, signal mirror, etc).o
You definitely brought up quite a lot that I hadn't previously considered like not camping too close to a river so you can hear noises and bring a book.
Now how about this:
1. I'm thinking of using a Steripen for water purification. What do you think of that idea?
2. Most are recommending the bear bag approach. Do I need a Ursak near Vail?
Thanks for all the tips, everyone. I appreciate the support.
Acronym Definition
FAK Focal Adhesion Kinase
FAK Freight All Kinds
FAK First Aid Kit
FAK Federasie Van Afrikaanse Kultuurvereniginge (Federation of Afrikaans Culture Organisations, South Africa)
FAK Feeding at Keyboard
FAK Flyaway Kit (Royal Australian Air Force)
FAK Fußballklub Austria Wien (German: Vienna, Austria soccer club)
Sorry, could not resist.
Sounds like a pretty cool trip! As far as hiking solo goes, Its an aquired taste--I love the simplicity, and i love the quiet, and the flexibility/freedom. (you pretty much get to do what ever you want, when you want!) (but the solitude and quiet can be unnerving for some folks) On the flip side, you really dont have any back up, so, you adjust your behavior accordingly. (when Im alone, I stay on the trails, dont deviate from my "flight plan"--or what ever trip plan I left with my wife.---and generally dont do anything too stupid that could get me hurt!) Lots of people carry a cell phone, but In my opinion, that tends to give you a false sense of security. (I feel the same way about carrying a gun while hiking) I've never had trouble with people, and the only times Ive had animal problems, it was because I did something stupid---didnt hang my food properly, camped in a bad area etc. Anyway, have a great trip! :)
and bring a radio (with ear phones for use in case there are other hikers in the area)
I have a steripen, but don't get much in the way of battery life, so don't really trust it. I carry a homemade gravity filter (replacement cartridge in a wally world dry bag connected to some tubing). Works well for me and I'm looking to lighten it from its current 8 ozs.
On the other, if bears aren't much of a threat, I use the ursack minor. Not strong enough to keep out a bear, but does good against racoons and such. I also use an allegedly odor-proof bag inside to help. If I'm in known or suspected bear country, I use the same bag inside a bear vault.
SN
1. Steripen is a proven water sterilization tool just make sure the water's clear since the light has to get through for it to work. Prefilter as needed. Bring some chemical drops in case of an equipment failure. That way you have a backup with almost no weight penalty.
Agreed on the Steri Pen. It is light and such but the battery life is really short. I would suggest the Steri pen only if you bring an extra set of batteries and another form of sterilization. Also a cheat sheet on what the blinking lights mean. I bring the iodine type kit for backup sterilization. I have also heard that if the water is too cold it doesn't work as well but that might just be rumor.
I also never deviate from my intended trip plan if at all possible when I am alone which actually stood me in good stead last year when a forest fire started near my hiking trail. It kept me on the trail and mostly away from harm.
Also when alone keep the chance taking at a minimum because you are there to survive and with no one to doing a swan dive into a creek isn't nearly as impressive when no one is around to witness it.
I've been soloing for decades..no problems yet-fingers crossed.
Def. stealth but on last weeks stealth something scared me--first for a scare in a long long time. Evidently I picked a spot to hang that was eitthe the bedding area or darned close to it-got the hammock up and walked several yards away to relieve my bladder and I heard a huge SNORT-I jumped! Just a deer but it startled me. Long days, many miles, etc. can make you more sensitive.
Sterpipen. Hmmm, requires batteries doesn't it. A small bottle of generic chlorox has done me well for years-either that or I'm already colonized with the nasties.